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December 23rd, 2009

A bit of a calendar competition / Happy Christmas

calendar

I promised a calendar competition but there does not seem to have been one. My excuse is that I was behind. Unfortunately there has not been a single day of 2009 that I have not been behind. I will start 2010 in the same sad state.

hymn numbers

I have three copies of my 2010 calendar (sample pictures above, below) to give away. I will give them to three people at random from the comment thread to this post. The comment does not require any merit. It can, to give some examples, be a greeting, lifestyle advice or a household tip. Posting more comments will not make you more likely to win, but it will not be frowned upon either. International comments welcomed.

The calendars will not arrive by Christmas or New Year, but they might arrive before too many months of 2010 have elapsed. Closing date sometime around December 30th or so, depending upon how the mood strikes me.

areas cleaned cartoon

A very Happy Christmas to all readers.

63 Comments »



This is a single Cartoon Blog entry, posted by Dave on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 pm.

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63 Responses to “A bit of a calendar competition / Happy Christmas”


  1. Dave says:

    I might not moderate comments over Christmas by the way.

    Oh dear – I am now in danger of winning one of my own calendars.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
  2. Sara says:

    Happy Christmas Dave. I know nothing I say in this post can “earn” me a calendar. For this reason, is this the first Grace-Based Comp? GBC (TM)

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
  3. David says:

    Happy Christmas to you Dave and wishing you a successful 2010.

    ‘Fraid I don’t have any household tips…

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
  4. Caroline says:

    And a very happy Christmas to you too Dave. The only calendar I have for next year is this one.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
  5. David Wilson says:

    wouldn’t it be fun if a random spammer won a calendar?

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:26 pm
  6. Ernest says:

    I was thinking of the Acolyte’s having a quiet Christmas Party with the Communion Wine in the Vestry would be an apt Cartoon – what they get up to when nobody is around.

    I recall my days as an Altar Server in the RC Church in the 1950’s – Shhhhhhh someone might be listening.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
  7. Russ says:

    Don’t waste those Christingle oranges – make people hand them over at the door and get the churchwardens to trample them to create fresh juice (with the bits) for the post Christmas Sunday service. Sweet.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
  8. Kate says:

    There’s no point adding the worry about being behind to being behind :) may you continue to keep us uptodate and entertained throughout, behind or not. Wishing you a peaceful *and restful* Christmas!

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:48 pm
  9. annie porthouse says:

    well, i bought yr 2009 calendar at greenbelt 08… and 2 more for friends.
    so do i deserve a 2010 version?
    nope, not really, but still, i’d love to have one.

    xmas tip?
    errrrr…. if it all goes pear-shaped this year, convert to judaism… before next year’s.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:51 pm
  10. Kat says:

    Merry Christmas to you, Dave! I long for the day when our church has dust of archaeological significance!! Hope to see you at New Year :)

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
  11. Phill Sacre says:

    Hello Dave, I’m afraid I can’t think of anything particularly amusing or witty to say in this comment :(

    But I do indeed pass on my contrafibulations (a word I learnt from the great Blackadder. I hope it’s actually a word, otherwise I’m going to look stupid) for Christmas and the new year.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 7:58 pm
  12. Simon says:

    Surely winning your own competition is worthy of a BBC phone in competition!

    Have a great christmas and thanks for your posts during the year – Here’s to a ‘blog-full’ new year

    December 23rd, 2009 at 8:19 pm
  13. Z says:

    Lifestyle advice? – hm. Being both a (village church, ’nuff said) organist and a churchwarden, I’m in no position to give anyone lifestyle advice.

    I vastly appreciated the last paragraph of your post, which seems to sum up a sensible approach to life.

    Happy Christmas, Dave, and thanks for the cartoons.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
  14. hilary says:

    Merry Christmas. Your blog, book and previous calendars have all made me smile. Don’t worry about always being behind. Just enjoy Christmas. Thanks again for all the smiles.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
  15. Duane says:

    Merry Christmas Dave – nice calendar theme this year…

    December 23rd, 2009 at 9:10 pm
  16. Nathalie says:

    Merry Christmas to one and all

    I was brought up in Japan – does that make this an international comment even though I live in Swindon??

    December 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 pm
  17. Ozzie Clumber says:

    Well, I’ve always loved your drawings, and I can understand if you skip over me, because, well, I am a dog… but keep in mind, I was the first canine Bishop in the Episcopal Church, so perhaps that might be some leverage for my getting a calendar. On the flip side, I’m retired now, so have no need to know exact things you bi-peds care so much about, like what day it is or the date. Anyway, good tidings to you and a blessed Christmas!

    December 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 pm
  18. Rachel says:

    First Christmas in a collar. I chuckled at your cartoons before I was ordained – now they’re part of my training! Thank you, and a very merry Christmas, Dave.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
  19. ...paul says:

    Just realized I haven’t bought a calendar for next year yet — knew there was something I’d meant to do. Ah well, maybe I’ll win a great Dave Walker special.

    Happy Christmas Dave, and all good wishes for 2010.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
  20. Paul Walton says:

    Greetings from Brisbane, where Christmas Day is expected to be a balmy 30 degrees…

    Looking forward to more of your work in 2010!

    December 23rd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
  21. Aaron Orear says:

    I already have your 2010 calendar, and so don’t need to win…but I did want to suck up a bit in case this priest thing doesn’t pan out and I need employment in the online cartoon racket some day.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
  22. Rory says:

    I’m a poor candidate for a free calendar as I might buy one otherwise, but I’ll put my name down in any case.

    My lifestyle advice: Make Christmas decorations featuring current photos of your children each year. Before you know it your Christmas tree will be covered in delightful memories of the wonders of creation.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
  23. simon rudiger says:

    seasons greetings from yorkshire (does that count as an international comment?).

    December 23rd, 2009 at 10:25 pm
  24. Graham Smith says:

    I enjoy your cartoons and am sorry you were too busy last year to accept my commission when the Bishop of Lincoln dedicated our Photo Voltaic Solar Panel array.

    Is there any chance you will be able to accept a commission to draw a similar cartoon in time for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s planned visit in March 2010?

    December 23rd, 2009 at 10:41 pm
  25. Phil Ruse says:

    Imagine the scandal if you DO win one of your own calendars.

    Happy Christmas :)

    Hopefully my Mum will enjoy it too – she’s getting a couple of your books as presents!

    December 23rd, 2009 at 10:42 pm
  26. Peter Banks says:

    Ah, a ladder, what a great solution for putting up hymn numbers!!

    Best for the Season and beyond

    PB

    December 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
  27. Anne says:

    A very merry Christmas from across the pond, Dave–and a happy and prosperous 2010. Lifestyle hint: If you have a baby, he or she will inevitably get big enough so that you have to take down the mobile you’ve used to decorate the crib. Save the little dangles from the mobile and hang them on your tree each year. My babies are now grown and married men, and we smile each year when we see those precious decorations.

    December 23rd, 2009 at 11:12 pm
  28. The Church Mouse says:

    Dave

    Having already purchased a copy of your calendar at full RRP, I’d very much like to win one from you as well. If you would be so kind as to sign it, and add a witty message, I’d love to raffle it off at our church fayre.

    Mouse

    December 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 pm
  29. Adam Creen says:

    Hey Dave, my comment is in the form of a question. Why do Midnight services always start at 11pm?
    love Adam

    December 24th, 2009 at 12:46 am
  30. pennyyak says:

    My last New Year’s resolutions:
    1. Express appreciation to those who bring me joy and laughter;
    2. Get an excellent calendar.

    Item #2 came out of thin air, but thank you for sharing your very interesting work.

    Merry Christmas to you, and your readers.

    December 24th, 2009 at 4:06 am
  31. Ben Hughes says:

    I would like to win a bit of a calendar Dave. Though perhaps a whole one would be more useful… ;-)

    December 24th, 2009 at 11:27 am
  32. tallandrew says:

    Is this the ‘old english church’ version of the Iwo Jima memorial?

    December 24th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
  33. Richard says:

    Happy Christmas, Dave and thanks for all you do in your many roles.

    What do you call an irrational fear of getting stuck in chimneys?

    Santaclaustrophobia…

    Sorry…

    December 24th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
  34. Stephen Kitzul says:

    I have asked that Father Christmas, after he visits me in Canada, make a special trip to you, sharpen your pencils for you, and give you a nudge. Happy Christmas from this Canadian guy!

    December 24th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
  35. fromthesamesky says:

    Well I’m in …

    December 24th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
  36. Alison U says:

    I’ve already got your calendar Dave – this years brought me so much joy that I bought next years as soon as I could get my hands on it – so you can exclude me from the draw. Just wanted to say thanks for all the cartoons – long may they continue. As a churchwarden also in a small rural church, your cartoons have made me laugh out loud at times – you understand church life and church people so well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

    December 24th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
  37. Chris Clark says:

    Happy Christmas Dave

    Hope you are able to catch up by the end of 2010!

    December 24th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
  38. Judy Argyle says:

    Happy Christmas Dave, from Williams, Western Australia. It’s 9.30 pm on Christmas Eve and the temperature outside is 37 degrees (celsius). Tomorrow it will be hot. So, no snow.
    About being behind: THROW EVERYTHING AWAY (without looking through it as you go) AND START AGAIN, WITH A CLEAN SLATE. It’s WONDERFUL! You will not regret it, I promise.
    Thank you for making me laugh; you are an angel. Judy.

    December 24th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
  39. Roger Dykstra says:

    Thanks for the humor, Dave. With the amount of snow we’re getting in North Dakota this Christmas Eve, we need all the laughter we can find!

    December 24th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
  40. Roger Dykstra says:

    Did you say submitting multiple comments would not be frowned upon? OK, good. Oh, oops…You also said it wouldn’t help my chance of winning the calendar.

    December 24th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
  41. si says:

    happy christmas dave!

    December 24th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
  42. Stuart Elliott says:

    Dave, being behind is nothing to be ashamed of. As a Catholic Priest once said to me, “tidiness is the virtue of the mediocre”, I guess that goes for keeping exactly to time too

    December 24th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
  43. Stephen March says:

    More power to yer pencil dee dubbleya!

    December 24th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
  44. sarah says:

    loved last years calendar cartoon of the directions to the loo. That’s us! but by the end of the year if we raised enough money we will have a loo in church. Send me a calendar Dave and we will put it up in the loo. Second thoughts send me one for 2012. We might have raised the money by then. It will probably take that long to persuade the DAC.

    December 24th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
  45. James says:

    I hope they did a risk assessment!

    wonder what would have happened if God did that at creation, incarnation or Easter!

    Happy Christmas one and all,

    James

    December 24th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
  46. Phil Groom says:

    Just dropping by on my Christmas blog tour to say Happy Christmas, Dave!

    Thanks for your encouragement and support this past year. Here’s hoping the coming year will be a tad less momentous and a lot more constructive for the Christian book trade. May 2010 bring you everything you’re hoping for, some pleasant surprises along the way, and none of what you’re dreading!

    December 25th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
  47. Alasdair says:

    I have always felt that 47 was my lucky number.

    Merry Christmas. Thanks for keeping me mirth-filled during my wanderings around the globe.

    December 25th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
  48. Sara A-G says:

    A happy Christmas to you!

    December 26th, 2009 at 1:29 am
  49. Glenda McKenzie says:

    A Belated Merry Christmas! You’re not the only one a little behind. Love your work & even though I’m from a different denomination, it looks like all churches have the same kind of “problems”. Every blessing!

    December 26th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
  50. Archdruid Eileen says:

    An even more belated Happy Christmas… or possibly an early Happy New Year.

    December 28th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
  51. Julia says:

    Just found you, on the eve of (well, six days before) my General Ordination Exams. I can use all the laughs I can get!
    Looking forward to exploring your work, with or without the free calendar…
    Christmas blessings, Julia

    December 28th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
  52. Farli says:

    Woe is me – no calendar in my stocking this year. (Last year there were two!)

    Handy household tip – Bicarbonate of soda is the best product for cleaning out a sticky fridge.

    Hope you have a very happy new year.

    December 28th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
  53. Judith R says:

    I am just in time I think – have been occupied with visitors (very nice ones) over Christmas. Thanks for keeping us amused all year. Every blessing for 2010, even tho’ your thoughts have to now be focused on 2011!

    December 29th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
  54. Dave says:

    Announcement. I am too busy for the rest of the year to end this competition, so it will continue until early next year. About Friday or so. I don’t want to end the competition on a half-hearted note you see. If you’re ending a competition you need to end it properly.

    December 30th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
  55. Robb says:

    I am trying to shamelessly get a calendar…

    December 30th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
  56. ferijen says:

    May 2010 be blessed for you Dave, and thanks for making me laugh this year.

    December 31st, 2009 at 4:42 pm
  57. Rural Vicar James says:

    I hope that 2010 works out well for you, Dave. Your cartoons are a highlight of my week (does that make me sad?)

    January 1st, 2010 at 7:19 pm
  58. John Simmons says:

    Go on then. I’m in.

    January 2nd, 2010 at 7:20 pm
  59. Sarahw says:

    Hi Dave
    I frequently check your site for new cartoons, they always seem so true and well done on the Youthwork gig – though I now have the dilemma of where to look first – your cartoon or the job pages… It’ll be tough!!
    Hope 2010 is a good one for you.

    January 4th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
  60. ordinandy says:

    thought it appropriate to be running late to enter a giveaway that you are running late to moderate – a calender would be useful to keep up with those things I have missed so far in the year…

    January 4th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
  61. Bethany Twins says:

    As Feline Chaplains to the Vicar of Forton, we are sorry to report that the Vicar did not get a single calendar from Santa this Christmass; no, not even a bit of a one. Furthermore, she has to put up her own hymn numbers.

    Please brighten her sad and lonely life by sending her a free calendar.

    In recompense, we offer this free household tip: Never confuse your calendar with your colander. This leads to soggy cartoons and waterlogged spaghetti.

    Yours, Mary and Martha

    PS The Vicar didn’t get a dark chocolate orange or a sherbert fountain for Christmass either. If you can’t see your way to sending a calendar, we are sure she would be happy to receive one of these instead.

    January 5th, 2010 at 3:15 am
  62. Amanda Taylor says:

    Your calendar would be great for a Sunday school colouring competition.

    Or is a Colourer one of your Situations Vacant that you are trying to fill?

    January 5th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
  63. Dave says:

    Competition now closed – Thanks for all entries.

    Winners announced here: here.

    January 7th, 2010 at 5:13 pm